Bojangles selects Thunderly for franchise development

Thunderly, a full-service franchise marketing agency, announced this Tuesday that they have added Southern chicken giant Bojangles to their clientele. Under the new agreement, Thunderly will support Bojangles’ ongoing expansion by elevating the brand’s visibility in ways that create a strong pipeline of potential franchise operators.

“Bojangles is a powerhouse brand with a rich heritage and a strong growth trajectory,” said Scott White, CEO of Thunderly Marketing. “Our focus is on building a scalable, performance-driven marketing engine that not only increases brand visibility but also attracts the right franchise partners.”

To power that marketing engine, Thunderly will execute paid media campaigns across multiple online platforms on behalf of Bojangles, optimize the brand’s website, and create new content, including a podcast, to drive opportunities and increase awareness of Bojangles’ opportunities within the entrepreneurial community.

Based in Allen, Texas, Thunderly has been helping brands grow since 1999. The agency applies its proprietary AIM (Amplified Integrating Marketing) Model to help their clients find an effective, consistent voice and approach across every channel. In addition to Bojangles, Thunderly’s portfolio includes recognizable names like Friendlys, SportClips, and Eggs Up Grill.

Bojangles has been serving chicken, biscuits, and tea since opening their first location in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1977. The company began franchising the next year, which led to the brand expanding rapidly across the Carolinas and Virginia throughout the 1980s. Today, the brand commands a network of over 800 locations, with restaurants as far west as Nevada and as far north as Michigan. More than 500 Bojangles locations are operated by franchisees.

Bojangles franchise strategy has traditionally been to focus on proven operators. More than 93% of their franchise restaurants are owned by multi-unit franchisees. They say their ideal franchise candidate loves the craft of restaurant operations and has pre-opening planning and development experience.